Washer & Dryer option worth it?

[Bellpr]

My wife and I are looking at new 5th wheels so that we can do some extended traveling (2+ weeks) now that the kids are moved out. The ones we've looked at, all had the options to add a washer and dryer. Are they worth the extra $$? if they seem to be worth it, should we get a combined unit or separate? Wife likes the idea if they are dependable.

[rmalik1]

ventrman wrote:

rmalik1 wrote:
This is what we use , well the wife does. We fulltime and this machine serves our purpose; no laundromat, saves money and no loss of space. I built a pvc laundry rack for the outside ladder and if in a campground that has a problem w/ hanging cloths from the ladder I put in the shower the heavy duty command hooks which I modified to accept a thin laundry line. Size and weight are good also. About 2ft High by 2ft Wide by 14 inches Deep and weighs in at 28 lbs approx. WE have a king bed and wife does 1 sheet and 2 pillowcases or about 4 or 5 tee shirts (mens large) or 1 pair of her jeans size 8-10 and 2 or 3 medium tops as a guide to load size. Retired and not in any hurry!

I have a Couple of Questions. How do you rinse your Clothes in the Panda Washer? Does it have a drain Hose? Also where does the Water go in the Spin Dryer? Does it also have a drain Hose?

All depends were u put it; we 1st had it in the closet and I jury rigged it to the laundry hook-ups (it has a drain hose). We used it for a few weeks by putting it in the shower, and it's latest and final spot is by the entry door where we have it set up as an display table by leveling the top w/ a cookie sheet and small table cloth which sits a lamp,coasters and grandbabies pictures.

Since we have it near the kitchen, we fill the washing side right from the pull out spigot, u wash,drain, rinse, then spin dry, but if ur counting pennies,u can wash everything starting with ur cleanest stuff and save the water by washing, spin, put to the side, then empty tub and fill with clean water and rinse, spin dry and hang cloths. The drain hose is hooked right to the faucet and drains into the sink basin, the spin dry side also uses the drain hose. wash cycle takes about 3 mins same with rinse and spin dry and the amount of laundry detergent used phenomenal = 1 teaspoon per load! go to youtube to see it in action. AlaskaGranny has a good video.

[ventrman]

rmalik1 wrote:
This is what we use , well the wife does. We fulltime and this machine serves our purpose; no laundromat, saves money and no loss of space. I built a pvc laundry rack for the outside ladder and if in a campground that has a problem w/ hanging cloths from the ladder I put in the shower the heavy duty command hooks which I modified to accept a thin laundry line. Size and weight are good also. About 2ft High by 2ft Wide by 14 inches Deep and weighs in at 28 lbs approx. WE have a king bed and wife does 1 sheet and 2 pillowcases or about 4 or 5 tee shirts (mens large) or 1 pair of her jeans size 8-10 and 2 or 3 medium tops as a guide to load size. Retired and not in any hurry!

I have a Couple of Questions. How do you rinse your Clothes in the Panda Washer? Does it have a drain Hose? Also where does the Water go in the Spin Dryer? Does it also have a drain Hose?

[time2roll]

thomas201 wrote:
Does anyone make a propane dryer. With 110, that would seem to be the way to go. Although it would be a propane hog.

I think most NG dryers could easily convert to propane with a new jet.

Gas Dryer Conversion to Propane - YouTube

[Slowmover]

Have a combo Splendide in mine. Thought about taking it out. Then, after requirement for FR clothing in oilfield (flame resistant) found that Wrangler Riggs HRC2 are tougher, lighter and far more comfortable than any brand blue jean out there. Will never buy blue jeans again. Too heavy, yet too hot, terrible in rain, and cold in winter. So, why?

Same for shirts where I don't need FR. T-shirts are underwear and always inappropriate past doing some work around house. Plenty of lighter weight non cotton shirts quite comfortable these days compared to 30 years ago. Same for underwear. Lasts far longer too.

For full timing, hard to beat having W/D aboard. Same for long vacations.

Keep the right (better) clothing. The other half of the equation.

[rmalik1]

sushidog wrote:
What brand is that machine, malik1? That drier tub looks tiny. Is it plumbed or do you place it in the shower/bathtub to use it?

Thanks,

Chip

Its a Panda, I jury rigged it so it was plumbed in closet close to the laundry hook-ups, but wife wanted it by the entry door and we have a tablecloth over it and a picture and a small lamp more like a small end table.

[kakampers]

We've had our w/d stackables in 3 different rigs since 2007...I've never used a drain pan and have never had an issue.

[texas_train]

Jack_Diane_Freedom wrote:
We had Sears stackable washer and dryer and it was wonderful. Put in a load and go back outside. We also had a Splendide single unit at one time that we were very very disappointed with it. Small loads and everything came out wrinkled.

2nd this! but ok for the undergarments, socks and such daily small loads while we are out!

[C-Bears]

Bellpr wrote:
Thanks for all the great feedback, I think you've help us make a decision. One last Question, Drain Pans, anybody rolling the dice and not using one?

I debated on getting a drain pan when the dealer installed the washer dryer in our last unit. I didn't have it put in. I have a water alarm sitting on the floor by the washer, another one behind the toilet, and one more under the galley sink.

Of course if we aren't in the fiver when a leak starts we won't hear the alarm go off.

[NC_Hauler]

My wife loves our Splendide vented W/D combo....We do most of our camping at our campsite in WVa...no Laundromats near by and even at some campground, it's a real pain and waste of time doing the laundry. In the 5er, wife starts load and goes about her business....Best thing we've done with the space allotted for a washer dryer combo. Going on our 3rd. year with it...zero issues and washes all the clothes and towels, etc that needs to be done....We didn't have one for years and all I ever heard from my wife was that she "wanted one"....now the wife is happy, so I'm happy....:)

Our timing was perfect....Bought our vented W/D combo at Camping world same time we purchased our HD satellite (free installation on both, going on 3 yrs now), and paid $799 for the W/D combo that normally sell's for around $1100.

[rmalik1]

ramgunner wrote:
It looks like a Panda unit (XPB36) - I just found them on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Panda-Compact-Portable-Washing-Capacity/dp/B00AW04ZMM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1...

I don't think the "dryer" is a dryer. It seems to be a spinner tub that you put the clothes into after washing.

Correct it's a Panda, we think its great. But for us we are retired, hate laundromats, didn't want to give up space, didn't want to add the weight of of the larger units.And last but not least we didn't want to spend 1200-1500 dollars, we paid 199.00!!! U just have to hang ur laundry like the old days. We have always liked our sheets hung out even when we were in the sticks and bricks.

[thomas201]

Does anyone make a propane dryer. With 110, that would seem to be the way to go. Although it would be a propane hog.

[hone_eagle]

I wouldn't bother in a under 35' trailer ,The sacrifice of space is too great.

[Me_Again]

We snowbirded in a nice Arizona park for five years and will return again next winter after taking a couple years off to go through our yacht club chairs.

Friday is wash day, and it takes just 2 hours to complete. The park uses a value card system to operate the machines. Equipment was all replaced with new machines that last year we were there and that occurs every few years.

We have magnets with our site number on them to keep track of which machines we are using. Our site is close enough that we walk to the laundry and back.

With the magnets one of us can start the washers and the other move things to the dryers without a lot of confusion. Park housekeeping keeps the area clean.

Chris

[ramgunner]

It looks like a Panda unit (XPB36) - I just found them on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Panda-Compact-Portable-Washing-Capacity/dp/B00AW04ZMM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1...

I don't think the "dryer" is a dryer. It seems to be a spinner tub that you put the clothes into after washing.